Beryllium

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

beryllium
    n 1: a light strong brittle grey toxic bivalent metallic element
         [syn: {beryllium}, {Be}, {glucinium}, {atomic number 4}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Glucinum \Glu*ci"num\, n. [Cf. F. glucinium, glycium, fr. Gr. ?,
   sweet. Cf. {Glycerin}.] (Chem.)
   A rare metallic element, of a silver white color, and low
   specific gravity (2.1), resembling magnesium. It never occurs
   naturally in the free state, but is always combined, usually
   with silica or alumina, or both; as in the minerals
   phenacite, chrysoberyl, beryl or emerald, euclase, and
   danalite. It was named from its oxide glucina, which was
   known long before the element was isolated. Symbol Gl. Atomic
   weight 9.1. Called also {beryllium}. [Formerly written also
   {glucinium}.]
   [1913 Webster]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Beryllium \Be*ryl"li*um\, n. [NL.] (Chem.)
   A metallic element found in the beryl. See {Glucinum}.
   [1913 Webster]

from The Elements (07Nov00)

beryllium
Symbol: Be
Atomic number: 4
Atomic weight: 9.0122
Grey metallic element of group 2 of the periodic table. Is toxic and can
cause severe lung diseases and dermatitis. Shows high covalent
character.
It was isolated independently by F. Wohler and A.A. Bussy in 1828.